Dog Advice – Shedding

Dog Advice – Shedding

This is especially for the dog owners who on seeing their puppy shed start to panic. Read thru the complete article and then analyse if it is time to press the panic button or not.

Shedding refers loss of hair and it natural process for all dogs. All dog shed some more than others.

Normal Shedding
• Seasonal shedding is perfectly normal in most breeds and should be allowed.
• Most dogs have a "double coat". The undercoat is used for insulation and grows deep and dense in the winter only to be shed out and discarded in Spring and Summer.
• Male dogs usually only shed profusely during the Spring and Summer molt.
• Females often shed at the time of their heat cycle as well.
• The exceptions to the double coat are poodles, which never develop the undercoat and, thus, are known as "non-shedding" breeds.
• Puppies of nearly every breed shed their puppy coat before growing their adult double coat. It usually happens between 6 months and 12 months depending on the breed.

Excessive shedding
If your dog seems to be shedding excessively, consult your vet to rule out any health problems. The following can also be cause of shedding – Diet, allergies, skin fungus, mites, lice etc.

Prevent Excessive Shedding
• The skin needs to be moist so that it can hold the guard hair shafts tightly in the pores.
• The dog must be given enough fatty acids in his diet so that the skin retains oil.
• Care should be taken not to strip off the natural oil from the skin or hair by detergent washing products.
• To insure the least amount of shedding, feed a high quality diet and supplement with additional anti-oxidants vitamin such as A and E as well as Linoleic Acid and Omega3 and Omega 6 Fish oils.
• Grooming your dog to helps to prevent indoors shedding.
• Be sure that you are using a veterinary quality NON-detergent shampoo

Links
http://www.bigpawsonly.com/dog-shedding-health.htm
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/shedding.htm
http://www.barknbath.com/shedding_dog_hair.htm